Water Quality of River, Lake and Drinking Water Supply in Penang State by Means of Multivariate Analysis
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
World Applied Sciences Journal 26 (1): 75-82, 2013 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.26.01.1323 Water Quality of River, Lake and Drinking Water Supply in Penang State by Means of Multivariate Analysis Suhair S. Salih, Abbas F.M. Alkarkhi, Japareng Bin Lalung and Norli Ismail School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia Submitted: Sep 8, 2013; Accepted: Nov 7, 2013; Published: Nov 10, 2013 Abstract: Statistical techniques such as multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and discriminate analysis (DA) were used to analyze the data obtained from three different locations (rivers, lake, drinking water supply). Seven parameters were measured pH, temperature, TSS, COD, BOD, turbidity and E. coli to investigate the pollution status. MANOVA showed a strong significant difference. While discriminate analysis (DA) explained the differences between different locations with the use of two functions. The first function showed 98.4% total variation, mainly due to E. coli, turbidity, BOD, temperature and COD. Even as the second function recorded 1.6% total variation, mainly due to E. coli, COD, temperature and pH. DA was also used to determine the relative contribution for all parameters in differentiating between river, lake and tap water. The results also showed strong correlations between COD and suspended solids. BOD with temperature, COD and pH. Turbidity with pH, temperature, COD and BOD. E. coli with COD, BOD, pH, temperature and suspended solids and a strong association of temperature with pH. These derived relationships can be used to produce reasonable planning estimates for the frequency of high E. coli levels (>200/100 mL) in rivers and lakes. Key words: MANOVA Discriminate analysis E. coli BOD COD INTRODUCTION necessary to forestall and control the rivers pollution by acquiring reliable data water quality for effective There has been a universal interest about faecal management. contamination of natural water bodies and its potential Penang is a state located in the northwest of impact on human health. Several studies on Best Malaysia. The state has six dam structures managed by Management Practices (BMPs) have been conducted to PBA (Perbadanan Bekalan Air). Between these reservoirs, reduce untreated human and domestic animal waste Mengkuang Reservoir (M.R) has the highest capacity. discharge, however, our limited understanding of bacteria The capacity of Mengkuang Reservoir is almost nine dynamics within a watershed remains imperfect [1, 2]. times more than Air Itam Reservoir. The present water Rivers have become a source of tourist attraction and supplies are sufficient for Penang state, though increasing hospitality, which has prompted the construction of population demands proactive steps by the government hotels and resorts around the area. These drastic to effectively manage and conserve the existing water developments have caused deforestation, resulting in supply. The surrounding area of Mengkuang Reservoir gradual erosion of the surrounding bare soil during consists of natural tropical forest and recreational spots rainfall. The weathered soil runs into the rivers and forms comprising landscaped gardens and sitting benches. a murky layer that blocks out sunlight from reaching the M.R is a part of the Mengkuang pumped storage scheme aquatic life thereby causing the loss of marine life. that supplies more than 81 million gallons of untreated Since, rivers constitute the main inland water resources and drinking water per day to Penang Island, Butterworth for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes, it is and other parts of the state. Recently, there has been an Corresponding Author: Norli Ismail, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia. 75 World Appl. Sci. J., 26 (1): 75-82, 2013 increase in economic development in Malaysia as a result E) and flows through the state. The total area of the of more land use, urbanization, industrialization and the Sungai Pinang river basin is about 50.97 km2 and its length expansion of mechanized agriculture. These economic is approximately 3.1 km. Over half of the basin is covered growth factors have adversely affected the quantity and with forest with about one-third of the river basin area quality of water supply while simultaneously increasing being used as arable land. The water quality of Sungai the demand for limited freshwater resources. Therefore, Pinang is categorized as Class V which is considered appropriate management and monitoring of drinking water "very polluted", in accordance with proposed Interim supply is critical. National Water Quality Standards (INWQS) for Monitoring of physio-chemical parameters is a Malaysia. Figure 1 shows the location of Sungai Pinang routine water quality assessment for drinking water River. supply in Malaysia. While chemical analysis has certain Specifically, the two lakes in Universiti Sains limitations such as time, cost and technical restraints, Malaysia (USM) main campus; Lake Tasik Harapan biological studies are capable of providing continuous (0.80 hectares) and Lake Aman approximately (0.58 acres), temporal and spatial information on water ecosystem were chosen for this study. These are one of the without aforementioned limitations. In Malaysia, man-made engineering landscapes that have garnered biological monitoring in water supplies normally involves much attention from the community in the campus. total coli form count for detection of focal pollution. [3] The lakes were constructed in 1990 as retention ponds in The application of multivariate methods for analyzing order to reduce the effect of flash flood after a heavy environmental data has increased enormously in recent downpour. To maintain the beauty of these lakes, a times [4, 5, 6]. Multivariate methods involve the 20 meter buffer area around the lake was provided [12]. measurement of several dependant variables for each However, from recent site observations, it was found that sampling unit. Multivariate analysis of variance the lakes are severely polluted and the water is greenish (MANOVA) has been used to test the significant in colour [13]. differences, while discriminate function (DF) has been used to identify the relative contribution of all variables to Water Sampling and Analysis: The technique used for the separation of the groups [7, 8]. the collection of water samples is referred to as grab Water pollution is going to be a serious problem in sampling. Water samples were taken at each tributary Malaysia and post a negative impacts on the using a bucket attached to a rope. Samples for laboratory sustainability of water resources plants and living analyzing were collected in HDPE bottles that were organisms, people's health and the country's economy [9]. pre-soaked in HCI for 24 hours and copiously rinsed with Previous studies relevant to the water quality of Sungai deionizer water. The sample containers were filled slowly Pinang Basin explained that there are several major water to the brim to avoid air bubbles. Samples collected were pollution sources attributed to anthropogenic activities then stored at 4°C. The samples were collected out during such as domestic sewage, agricultural and industrial the dry weather. wastes [10, 11]. The objective of this research project is to determine the differences in pollution status between Parameters Selected for Analysis: Samples obtained river, lake and drinking water supply, based on several from different locations were analyzed for seven parameters which include; pH, temperature, TSS, COD, parameters: pH, temperature °C, Biochemical Oxygen BOD, turbidity and E. coli, in order to identify differences Demand (BOD) (mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in pollution between these locations. (mg/l), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/l), turbidity (NTU) and E. coli (CFU/100 ml). The methods of analysis MATERIALS AND METHODS are in line with the requirements of Standard Methods [14]. Temperature and pH were measured in site by using Background: The study site is located within Sungai thermometer and pH meter( ph107 Digital Pocket PH Meter Pinang River basin in the state of Penang, on the North tester) respectively. While the other parameters such as West coast of Peninsular Malaysia, [10]. It also comprises Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, the Sungai Pinang river, which is situated at the Total Suspended Solids, turbidity and E. coli were carried North-Eastern part of the Penang Island (5° 24' N l00° l9' out in the laboratory. 76 World Appl. Sci. J., 26 (1): 75-82, 2013 Fig. 1: Map of Sungai Pinang River RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The maximum values of turbidity showing the highest values for lake and river samples with values of Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics for the 83.00 and 55.00 respectively. Whereas turbidity of selected parameters, which include: minimum, maximum, drinking water supply exhibited the lowest value with 0.13. mean and standard deviation for different locations river, As the minimum turbidity values of lake, river and lake and drinking water supply are shown in Table 1. drinking water supply were 77.00, 19.00 and 0.04 The mean value of E. coli was arranged for three locations respectively. High turbidity values could be due to in the following order: river > lake > drinking water supply. possible pollution by soil erosion from the construction The E. coli sample from river displayed the highest level and earthworks activities within this area [10]. The greater with 1162.5000, whilst E. coli value for the lake showed the amount of turbidity in the lake, the murkier it appears lower value compared to river 211.25, although the E. coli and the higher the measured total suspended solids sample from drinking water supply exhibited the lowest (TSS). The major source of turbidity in the open water value with 2.2500. On the other hand, the minimum values zone of most lakes is typically phytoplankton [17, 18]. of the E. coli samples from river, lake and drinking water The main cause of pollution in Lake Tasik Harapan supply were, 500.00, 170.00 and 0.00 respectively.